Health in Santa Elena, Ecuador: official figures
Life expectancy at birth in Santa Elena is projected at 75.9 years in 2026 (both sexes), 7th lowest of the 24 provinces; in 2010 it was 74.0 years. The national figure is 77.9 years (population-weighted average of the provinces).
How many people die each year in Santa Elena?
INEC recorded 2,004 deaths among residents of Santa Elena in 2024, a rate of 4.97 per 1,000 people against 4.98 nationally; 12th lowest of the 24 provinces. In 2019 the rate was 3.70 and in 2020, the first pandemic year, 8.15.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC) · saved copyWhat is the infant mortality rate in Santa Elena?
The infant mortality rate in Santa Elena was 7.9 deaths of children under one year per 1,000 births in 2024 (54 deaths), against 8.9 nationally; 11th highest of the 24 provinces. In 2019 it was 7.6.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC) · saved copyWhat is the child mortality rate in Santa Elena?
The mortality rate for children under five in Santa Elena was 10.1 per 1,000 births in 2024 (70 deaths) against 11.2 nationally; 12th lowest of the 24 provinces.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC) · saved copyHow many mothers die in childbirth in Santa Elena?
6 maternal deaths were recorded among residents of Santa Elena in 2024; the national total was 90, a ratio of 34.2 per 100,000 births. Provincial ratios are based on small counts.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC) · saved copyHow many babies are born in Santa Elena each year?
6,537 live births were registered for mothers living in Santa Elena in 2023, a crude birth rate of 16.3 per 1,000 people (8th highest of the 24 provinces); in 2019 there were 6,949, a change of -5.9% (national -16.3%).
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC) · saved copyHow many births in Santa Elena are attended by a doctor or midwife?
98.9% of live births in Santa Elena in 2024 were attended by professional health staff, against 97.2% nationally; 8th highest of the 24 provinces.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC) · saved copyHow Santa Elena compares with other provinces
Life expectancy at birth (years) (2026)
Santa Elena ranks 18 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at birth (years) |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | El Oro | 76.1 |
| 16 | Napo | 76.0 |
| 17 | Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas | 75.9 |
| 18 | Santa Elena | 75.9 |
| 19 | Sucumbios | 75.9 |
| 20 | Manabi | 75.6 |
| 21 | Esmeraldas | 75.6 |
General mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 people) (2024)
Santa Elena ranks 13 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | General mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 people) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Carchi | 5.11 |
| 11 | Sucumbios | 5.00 |
| 12 | Imbabura | 4.99 |
| 13 | Santa Elena | 4.97 |
| 14 | Cotopaxi | 4.79 |
| 15 | Azuay | 4.64 |
| 16 | Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas | 4.46 |
Infant mortality rate (deaths under age 1 per 1,000 births) (2024)
Santa Elena ranks 11 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Infant mortality rate (deaths under age 1 per 1,000 births) |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Cotopaxi | 9.2 |
| 9 | Carchi | 8.5 |
| 10 | Manabi | 8.2 |
| 11 | Santa Elena | 7.9 |
| 12 | Orellana | 7.8 |
| 13 | Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas | 7.6 |
| 14 | Azuay | 7.4 |
Under-5 mortality rate (per 1,000 births) (2024)
Santa Elena ranks 13 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Under-5 mortality rate (per 1,000 births) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Orellana | 11.7 |
| 11 | Imbabura | 10.4 |
| 12 | Carchi | 10.2 |
| 13 | Santa Elena | 10.1 |
| 14 | Manabi | 10.1 |
| 15 | Morona Santiago | 10.0 |
| 16 | Canar | 9.9 |
Live births with low birth weight (under 2,500 g) (2024)
Santa Elena ranks 6 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Live births with low birth weight (under 2,500 g) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Tungurahua | 12.2% |
| 4 | Carchi | 11.7% |
| 5 | Chimborazo | 10.9% |
| 6 | Santa Elena | 9.9% |
| 7 | Cotopaxi | 9.8% |
| 8 | Canar | 9.8% |
| 9 | Guayas | 9.2% |
Births attended by professional health staff (2024)
Santa Elena ranks 8 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Births attended by professional health staff |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Pichincha | 99.3% |
| 6 | Guayas | 99.1% |
| 7 | Manabi | 99.1% |
| 8 | Santa Elena | 98.9% |
| 9 | Azuay | 98.7% |
| 10 | Tungurahua | 98.4% |
| 11 | Canar | 97.7% |
More on Santa Elena: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · poverty and living standards · Ecuador
Sources
- Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC): Registro Estadístico de Defunciones Generales 2024: tabulados y series (mortality by province of residence, 2008-2024), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7cab0c22d7cd…)
- Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC): Registro Estadístico de Nacidos Vivos y Defunciones Fetales 2024: tabulados y series históricas (births by province of residence), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 fa2d677df1e0…)
- Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC): Estimaciones y Proyecciones de Población, revisión 2024 (Censo 2022 base): provincial tables by age and demographic indicators, 1990-2035, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 54951201c6d7…)
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